[with apologies for cross-posting]

Ottawa, Ontario, July 3, 2002 -- Wendy Newman, Chief Executive Officer
of the Brantford Public Library, became President of the Canadian
Library Association (CLA) at the 57th Annual Conference, held in Halifax
from June 19-23.

Wendy Newman brings a wealth of experience of association work and
leadership to the presidency.  She has been president of the Canadian
Association of Public Libraries, a mentor at the Northern Exposure to
leadership Institute and a Volunteer Advocacy Trainer for Library
Advocacy Now!  Brantford Public Library is the North American
representative in UNET, the UNESCO Model Library Network and Ms. Newman
will host a meeting of this group of 8 public libraries in September
2002.

Ms. Newman sits on the Heritage Advisory Group of the Department of
Canadian Heritage and served on the National Broadband Task Force,
chairing the Social Benefits and Challenges Working Group. She is on the
Board of the Media Awareness Network, which has a partnership with CLA
through the Web Awareness Program. Ms. Newman has also been a member of
the Smart Communities Blue Ribbon Panel and the Advisory Group on
Connectedness of the Conference Board of Canada. At home, she is on the
Liaison Committee of the Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford Campus
and Chair of the Board of the Brant Business Information Network.

Ms. Newman brings to this position experience in a number of library
settings: academic library service in York University and Osgoode Law
School libraries and special library service in the Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health and Safety; Coordinator of the Library Technician
program at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology; and public
library service in Hamilton and Brantford.

Founded in 1946, the Canadian Library Association (CLA) is the national
English language library association representing Canada's estimated
58,000 library workers. It is a registered charity, governed by an
elected Executive Council, which is advised by over thirty interest
groups and committees. Its divisions represent libraries in colleges and
universities, municipalities, governments, private companies and
schools.

The mission of CLA is to promote, develop and support library and
information services in Canada.  Its priorities focus on public policy,
continuing education and members' services.

Media Contact:

Peter Wilson
Communications Coordinator (ext. 320)
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Canadian Library Association
328 Frank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K2P 0X8
(613) 232-9625; Fax: (613) 563-9895
http://www.cla.ca